Afternoon non-stop flight by EgyptAir from London Heathrow to Cairo (4 hours 40 minutes). On arrival you will be met by your Tour Manager, a trained Egyptologist, and transferred to the centrally located Semiramis InterContinental Hotel for a 4 nights stay.

This morning is spent wandering amongst the priceless treasures of Egypt’s incomparable Museum of Antiquities. Free afternoon to explore some more of Egypt’s vibrant capital, or return to the museum and make full use of the day tickets we have purchased. Dinner this evening at a floating restaurant on the Nile, provides you with the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.

A full day of sightseeing begins with a visit to the fascinating, but often overlooked, IVth Dynasty pyramid at Dashur. Built before its more illustrious neighbours this ‘bent’ pyramid is in fact the first of its kind (prior to this all pyramids were stepped). From here we continue to Memphis (3200 BC), Egypt’s ancient capital and then onto the spectacular funerary complex of Saqqara and the Step Pyramid of King Zoser (3rd Dynasty).

Five thousand years old and still shrouded in mystery, the Pyramids, along with the enigmatic Sphinx, are one of the world’s most iconic images. Your morning tour is enhanced by the special addition of an included visit to the Solar Boat Museum, site of the full-size funerary bark discovered in 1954 and painstakingly restored. This afternoon is at leisure.

Morning flight to Luxor (1 hour 5 minutes), where you transfer to the Sonesta St. George Hotel overlooking the Nile. This afternoon visit the excellent Luxor Museum.

A full days excursion by road takes you to the Greco-Roman Temple of Hathor at Denderah, one of the only temples still relatively intact, where you see the chapel of the Goddess Nut and its exquisite astronomical ceiling. Also visit the Temple of Osiris at Abydos, before returning to Luxor.

There is the option of rising at dawn to take a hot air balloon flight over Luxor. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion (please see ‘Pre Bookable Option Excursions’ below). The rest of the day is at leisure to explore more of Luxor’s treasures.

Today embark on the Mövenpick Radamis I in time for lunch. This afternoon explore the magnificent remains of the XVIIIth Dynasty temples of Luxor and Karnak. Luxor Temple was built over 4000 years ago, and represents the epoch of the once mighty city of Thebes and the worship of the god Amun. Karnak Temple was built over 4,000 years ago, Karnak’s immense Hypostyle Hall alone contains the phenomenal sight of 134 towering columns of intricate stonework. This evening overnight in Luxor.

This morning after breakfast cross over to the West Bank to visit the tombs of the Pharaohs, the romantic Valley of the Kings where Howard Carter famously discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Continue to the Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon. The cruise boat will sail early this morning to Esna after you disembark for your visit to the West Bank. Following your sightseeing you will be transferred by bus to Esna where you will board the boat. This afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy a welcome reception and dinner on board. Overnight at Esna.

This morning cross through the lock and sail to Edfu. After lunch visit the superb Ptolemaic Temple of Horus (237 BC) and then continue to Kom Ombo where you will moor overnight.

After breakfast visit the riverside temple, dedicated to two gods, Sobek, the crocodile god and Horus, god of the morning sun. Continue sailing to Aswan and after lunch visit the High Dam, Old Dam, The Unfinished Obelisk and the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser when the dam was constructed. This evening overnight in Aswan.

Disembarking the Mövenpick Radamis I after breakfast, there is an option to fly to the majestic temple complex of Abu Simbel. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion (please see ‘Pre Bookable Option Excursions’ below). Return to Cairo by air (1 hour 25 minutes) to overnight at Le Passage Heliopolis Hotel at Cairo airport.

Morning non-stop flight by EgyptAir to London Heathrow, arriving in the early afternoon.